Infant nursing dispenser

ABSTRACT

An infant nursing dispenser and method of manufacturing same. The dispenser includes a body portion, which is at least partially collapsible and includes a fluid outlet having a seal cap affixed thereto. Piercing means is operatively associated with the seal cap and with a relatively movable actuator whereby relative movement between the actuator and piercing means causes said piercing means to break the seal cap when dispensing of the liquid in the body portion is desired. A postive locking arrangement is provided for maintaining the movable actuator and piercing means in fixed relative positions after breaking of the seal cap to insure the free flow of liquid in the body portion through the fluid outlet and a soft, pre-perforated nipple extending upwardly from the actuator. An overwrap is provided to insure the sanitary condition of the nipple prior to its use by an infant. In addition, support means in the form of an open ended tube at least partially surrounds the body portion to protect the body portion and provide a support therefore.

United States Patent 1 Fouser INFANT NURSING DISPENSER [76] Inventor:John P. Fouser, 287 Juanita Way,

San Francisco, Calif. 94127 22 Filed: Mar. 17, 1971 21 Appl.No.: 125,216

Primary Examiner-Donald F. Norton Attorney-12m. M. NaylorJohn K. Uilkemaet al.

[1111 3,747,791 July 24, 1973 s71 ABSTRACT An infant nursing dispenserand method of manufacturing same. The dispenser includes a body portion,which is at least partially collapsible and includes a fluid outlethaving a seal cap affixed thereto. Piercing means is operativelyassociated with the seal cap and with a relatively movable actuatorwhereby relative movement between the actuator and piercing means causessaid piercing means to break the seal eap when dispensing of the liquidin the body portion is desired. A postive locking arrangement isprovided for maintaining the movable actuator and piercing means infixed relative positions after breaking of the seal cap to insure thefree flow of liquid in the body portion through the fluid outlet and asoft, pre-perforated nipple extending upwardly from the actuator. Anoverwrap is provided to insure the sanitary condition of the nippleprior to its use by an infant. In addition, support means in the form ofan open ended tube at least partially surrounds the body portion toprotect the body portion and provide a support therefore.

13 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENIED-MZWH 3.747. 791

sum 1 or g I N VEN TOR.

JOHN P. FOL/55R ATTORNEYS PAIENIEUJ L 3,147. 791

SHEEI 2 0F 2 INVENTOR.

JOHN R F0055 ATTOKNEVS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present inventionrelates to an improved fluid dispenser, and more particularly, to adispenser particularly adapted to infant nursing. In addition, theinvention is directed to a method of manufacturing an infant nursingdispenser wherein the component parts may be readily maintained in asterile condition during assembly.

In the prior art, various arrangements have been provided to nurseinfants with artificial devices simulating, to some extent, a mothersbreast. The most typical of these devices simply take the form of arigid bottle having a nipple secured over the open end thereof. Thesedevices are generally of the reusable type and require cleaning andrefilling prior to each use. In these devices there is generally noprovision to avoid the creation of a vacuum within the bottle as fluidis drawn therefrom by an infant. The absence of such provision isparticularly detrimental, since the vacuum impedes the free flow ofcontents from the bottle and results in flatulence and the excessiveingestion of air by the infant.

In an effort to avoid the shortcomings of conventional nursing bottlessuch as that described above, various types of dispensing devices havebeen developed. These devices provide various arrangements to eliminatethe creation of a vacuum therein during nursing and also, in many cases,provide disposable, prepackaged units which alleviate the need forcleaning and refilling. Some of these prior art devices incorporate sealarrangements which are internally confined within the nipple orassociated structure which must be broken prior to nursing the infant.The mechanisms utilized to accomplish this are often complex therebycausing manufacturing difficulties. Quite often, actuation of thesemechanisms requires direct finger contact of the nurser nipple by theoperator, thereby opening the way to possible contamination thereofprior to use by the infant. A further defect of prior internal sealbreaking mechanisms is that they break their associated seals in such amanner as to allow inadvertent cutoff of fluid flow by the seal materialdue to the fact that no means is provided to maintain the seal materialout of the path of fluid flow once pressure is removed from the sealbreaking mechanism, as by removal of the operators finger pressure.

In addition to the above noted difficulties which have hamperedcommercial acceptance of prior art dispensable, prepackaged nurserunits, such units have occasionally incorporated collapsible portionswhich are relatively unprotected thus resulting in leakage andcontamination prior to end use. In the event such units collapse at ornear the bottoms thereof, as had been the case with some prior artarrangements, it is difficult to store them in an upright conditionwhich is often desirable at both point of sale and in the home.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, accordingly, a principal object of thisinvention to provide an infant nursing dispenser incorporating internalseal means which may be broken by the operator without contaminating thenipple portion thereof.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an infantnursing dispenser incorporating an arrangement for positivelymaintaining broken seal material out of the fluid flow path into thenipple during nursing to prevent clogging thereof.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an infantnursing dispenser incorporating a collapsible fluid retaining wall andan inexpensive means whereby such wall is protected prior to and duringdispenser use and which functions as a support for the dispenser forstorage purposes.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method ofpackaging a fluid foodstuff in an infant nursing dispenser in a quick,efficient and inexpensive manner.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS The above noted and other objects of thisinvention will be understood from the following description taken withreference to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view, in partial cross-section, of an assembledinfant nursing dispenser constructed in accordance with the teachings ofthe present invention.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are enlarged, cross-sectional, elevational viewsillustrating details of the infant nursing dispenser of the presentinvention in differing stages of the operation thereof.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on plane 4-4 of FIG. 3. I

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the order in whichselected elements of the infant nursing dispenser of FIG. 1 areassembled during manufacture.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of an alternative form ofinfant nursing dispenser constructed in accordance with the teachings ofthe present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIG. 1, thedispenser incorporating the teachings of the present invention includesa container or body portion which is generally designated by means ofreference 10. Body portion 10 comprises shell elements 12 and 14sealingly secured together by flanges l6 and 18, respectively, thereon.The shell element 12 is completely closed, except for the open sidethereof formed with the flange 16. The shell element 14 has an apertureor orifice 20 in the end thereof opposite the side formed with theflange 18. Thus, when the shell elements 12 and 14 are secured together,they define a container having only one aperture 20 opening thereinto.Through this aperture, as will become apparent subsequently, fluid canbe both introduced and exhausted from the body portion 10. i

The shell elements 12 and are of such relative flexibilities that theelement 12 is adapted to collapse into the element 14 when fluid iswithdrawn from the container 10. Specifically, the element 12 is veryflexible so that it will readily collapse upon the creation of a vacuumwithin the container, whereas the element 14 is quite rigid relative tothe element 12. The materials from which the elements 12 and 14 arefabricated may take various forms without departing from the spirit ofthe invention. In a preferred form, both elements are constructed oflaminated polypropylene having different degrees of rigidity. Examplesof other materials from which the element 12 may be formed are:polyallomer'; coated aluminum foil; and :nylon polylaminate. Examples ofother materials of which the element 14 may be satisfactorily fabricatedare: polyallomer; steel foil, aluminum; or coated paper board. Dependingon the materials used, various techniques may be employed for joiningthe flanges 16 and 18 in sealed relationship. For example, where one orboth of the elements l2 and 14 are fabricated of a thermoplasticmaterial, joining may be accomplished by employing sealing techniques ofthe following types: heat, thermo inpulse, radio frequency, orultrasonic. Where the ele ments l2 and 14 are fabricated of very thinthermoplastic material, the utilization of techniques, such asultrasonics, subjecting the elements to a minimum of heat has theadvantage that flow of the material and weakening of the juncture isavoided. Spin welding may also be advantageously employed where theelements are formed of thermoplastic material.

Once the container has been formed and filled with fluid through theaperture 20, the aperture is closed by means of a seal cap 22. As maymost readily be seen with reference to FIGS. 2 and 5, seal cap 22includes a housing or cup element 24 which is closed at the bottomthereof. A first flange 26 is integrally connected to the housing 24 atthe open end thereof so that the first flange 26 extends radiallyoutwardly from the housing about the full periphery thereof. The uppersurface of the first flange 26, as viewed in the drawings, along withthe inner surface of integrally formed circular side wall 28 define aradially extending niche 30 which communicates with the interior ofhousing 24. The purpose of radial extending niche 30 will be brought outin greater detail below. Extending radially outwardly from the upper endof circular side wall 28 is a second flange 32. Second flange 32 isadapted to sealingly engage the upper surface of inwardly turned wall 34of container 10, said inwardly turned wall defining orifice 20. The sealcap 22 is preferably of unitary, molded construction. A material whichhas been found suitable for use in fabrication of seal cap 22 ispolypropylene. However, the seal cap may be formed of other readilyrupturable material such as: nylon, Mylar, polyallomer, aluminum orsteel foil, or polypropylene-coated paper. After the interior ofcontainer 10 has been cleaned as by means of high pressure steam andfilled with desired foodstuff, seal cap 22 is secured in the illustratedposition by being spin welded in place in a nitrogen atmosphere.

The next principal component to be secured into position is the piercingelement 40 which includes a circular top wall 42 and a dependingcircular side wall 44 which is adapted to be snapped over and secured tothe container neck portion 46 as by means of cooperating indents anddetents formed on the neck portion and the piercing element circularside wall. Connected to circular side wall 42 and defining a centralopening in the piercing element 40 is an inner circular side wall 48which is adapted to be positioned against seal cap circular side wall 28in the manner illustrated. A plurality of support elements 50 areconnected to the bottom of inner circular side wall 48. As may be seenmost clearly with reference to FIGS. 3 and 5, support elements 50 extendinwardly and then downwardly so that they are positioned adjacent tofirst flange 26 and housing 24 of seal cap 22. At their respectivebottoms support elements 50 are integrally attached to a piercingelement base member 52 which is adapted to seat upon the bottomhorizontal wall of cup element or housing 24. Connected to the enlargedcentral portion of base member 52 are a plurality of upwardly extendingpiercing members 54. Piercing members 54 are of relatively thinconstruction at their points of connection with base member 52,gradually increasing in thickness as the piercing members proceedupwardly therefrom. At their respective upper ends piercing members 54terminate in outwardly extending piercing points 56 which are adapted tobe positioned on seal cap first flange 26 when piercing element 40 ispositioned on container 10, FIG. 2

Piercing members 54 are staggered with respect to support elements 50 sothat the piercing members are in registry with slots 58 defined bysupport elements 50. See, in particular, FIG. 5 in this regard. Ifdesired, outwardly extending piercing points 56 may be frangiblyinterconnected to piercing element inner circular side wall 48 as bymeans of score lines. However, in the illustrated embodiment, the onlypoint of interconnection of the piercing members 54 is at theirrespective lower ends to piercing element base member52. The piercingelement 40 is preferably of molded one piece construction and maysuitably be formed of high temperature polypropylene or glass-filledpolypropylene.

After piercing element 40 has been snapped into position over container10 and seal cap 22, a subassembly comprising an actuator element 60, anipple 62, and a lock ring 64, is positioned over the piercing element40. Lock ring 64 includes a top wall 66 and a circular side wall 68depending downwardly therefrom. Projecting inwardly from side wall 68 atthe bottom thereof is a locking rib 70 which extends all the way aroundthe inner periphery of the side wall. A central aperture is formed inlock ring top wall 66 and the top wall is turned downwardly as at 72 toform a detent extending all the way about the aperture. Materialssuitable for construction of the lock ring 64 are high temperaturepolypropylene or glass-filled polypolyene.

The nipple 62, which comprises an element of the abovementionedsubassembly, includes a hollow body portion 74 and an annular flange 76.An annular groove 78 is formed in the body portion 74 to accomodatetherein lock ring circular detent 72. The nipple 62 is constructed ofsufficiently soft resilient material to permit deformation thereof as itis snapped into position with respect to lock ring 64. In a preferredembodiment, pure gum, non-toxic, heat resistant rubber may be utilizedin the construction of a nipple; however, it is to be understood thatother suitable materials may be utilized in the fabrication thereof,such as: ethylenevinyl-acetate, low density polyethylene, and latex. Thenipple is perforated as at 82 in the usual manner.

A second annular groove 82 is formed in the bottom of the nipple flange76. Second annular groove 82 accomodates therein a circular supportplate 84 which comprises a portion of the third and final element of thesubassembly, i.e., actuator element 60. The actuator element circularsupport plate 84 is positioned within second annular groove 82 after thenipple 62 has been positioned with respect to lock ring 64 with thethree subassembly elements cooperating in an obvious manner to form aliquid-tight seal therebetween. A throughbore 86 is formed in supportplate 84 with a plurality of downwardly extending columns 88 beingsecured to support plate 84 about the periphery of the throughbore inthe manner illustrated. At their lowermost ends columns 88 are securedto an apertured ring 90 at spaced intervals so as to provide open spacestherebetween.

After the three element subassembly has been formed, the subassembly isplaced into position over piercing element 40 in the manner illustratedin FIG. 2. To accomplish this locking rib 70 or lock ring 64 is snappedinto position within a first cooperating annular groove 92 formed alongthe outer periphery of the piercing element. With the three elementsubassembly in such position, apertured ring 90 of actuator element 60is in engagement with all of upwardly extending piercing members 54. Attheir respective points of engagement with ring 90 each of the piercingmembers 54 has a cammed surface formed thereon which corresponds to theconfiguration of the apertured ring 90 at that point. This cooperatingshoulder or cam arrangement is important since it provides a positivemeans whereby inward movement of piercing members 54 due to any internalpressure which may be present within container or body portion isprevented. The ring 90, as well as the remainder of actuator element 60,is constructed of relatively rigid material such as high temperaturepolypropylene or glass-filled polypropylene.

After the three element subassembly comprising actua'tor element 60,nipple 62, and lock ring 64, has been positioned in the mannerillustrated in FIG. 2, a flexible overwrap 94 of polypropylene film orthe like is heat sealed or otherwise secured to container or bodyportion 10 about the periphery thereof so that nipple 62 and thestructure associated therewith is protected from possible contaminationfrom external sources. The respective elements of the present inventionremain in the relative positions illustrated in FIG. 2 until dispensingof the foodstuff in the container 10 is desired.

With the present arrangement communication between the interior ofnipple 62 and the interior of container 10 may be readily accomplishedby the application of a downward pressure upon lock ring 64. Sufficientpressure in this direction results in the downward movement of the lockring, the nipple 62 and the actuator element 60 so that these partsassume the respective positions illustrated in FIG. 3. Downward movementof locking rib 70 with respect to first cooperating annular groove 92 ofthe piercing element is facilitated by the cooperating downwardly cammedsurfaces of the groove and locking rib. These downwardly cammed surfacesare designated by means of reference numberals 92a and 70a respectively.Downward movement of lock ring 64 continues until the locking rib 70thereof enters into a second cooperating annular groove 96 formed on thepiercing element 40. Once the locking rib has entered this secondcooperating annular groove upward movement of the lock ring is preventeddue to the cooperating shoulders formed at the top of locking rib 70 andthat portion of piercing element 40 which protrudes outwardly to definethe upper extent of second cooperating annular groove 96.

As previously stated, the downward movement of lock ring 64 causes acorresponding downward movement of actuator element 60. As the actuatorelement 60 proceeds downwardly apertured ring 90 thereof continuallybears against piercing members 54 forcing the piercing points 56 thereofin a downwardly and outwardly direction until they assume the positionsillustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. This movement of the piercing members 54is restrained only by the seal cap 22 since the piercing members mayfreely move outwardly through the slots 58 formed in piercing element40. In this manner, upon application of sufficient downward force onlock ring 64 the downward and outward movement of piercing members 54causes the seal cap material to rupture thereby establishingcommunication between the interior of container 10 and nipple 62. Fluidflow out of the container and into the nipple may then be had asindicated by the arrows in FIG. 3 through the rupture formed within theseal cap 22, the open spaces between downwardly extending columns 88,and through the throughbore 86 formed in the actuator element 60.

Due to the fact that locking rib of lock ring 64 is maintained withinsecond cooperating annular groove 96 of piercing element 40, thepiercing members 54 will retain their respective positions illustratedin FIG. 3 by virtue of the fact that apertured ring 90 of the actuatorelement 60 is continually maintained in engagement therewith. Thisassures that the holes formed in seal cap 22 by the piercing memberswill remain relatively unobstructed by the ruptured seal cap material.The foodstuff contained within nipple 62 will then be free to flowoutwardly through perforation 80 formed in the nipple. It should benoted from the foregoing description that the nipple 62 need not becontacted to break the seal cap. In this manner the sterile condition ofthe nipple is maintained until actual insertion into the infants mouth.If desired, downward movement of lock ring 64 may actually be occasionedby means of one or more of the operators fingers with the relativelythin overlap 94 remaining in position. Alternatively, however, theoverwrap 94 may be removed prior to depression of the lock ring.

Referring now to FIG. 6 an alternative form of lock ring 64a andpiercing element 40a are illustrated. In this arrangement, the lock ringand piercing element wall 44a are provided with cooperating screwthreads 98 and 100, respectively. The lowermost portion of lock ringscrew thread 98 is positioned in operative association with the upperportion of screw thread 100 until dispensing is desired. At that time,the lock ring 64a is rotated clockwise so that the cooperating threadscause the lock ring to assume a lower position with respect to piercingelement wall 44a. This lowering movement causes the downward and outwardmovement of piercing members 54, as in the embodiment shown in FIGS.1-5, by virtue of their interaction with the actuator element (notshown) disposed in operative relationship with lock ring 64a.

Returning once again to FIG. 1, a support means is provided in operativeassociation with container 10 to enable the container to be stood in anupright condition as well as to provide some degree of protection forrelatively thin walled shell element 12 which collapses upon removal offoodstuff from the interior of the container. The support meanscomprises a section of polyallomer coated paper board which has beenshaped to form a circular side wall 102, turned inwardly at the bottomas at 104, and crimped at the upper extremity thereof around flanges l6and 18 to provide a circular shoulder portion 106. In addition toproviding support and protection for the container 10, the support meansmay accomodate suitable labels on the circular side wall 102 thereof toprovide information regarding the product. The inwardly turned portion104 provides a simple and inexpensive means whereby a desired degree ofstrength and rigidity may be imparted to the remainder of the supportmeans.

From the foregoing detailed description, it is believed apparent thatthe present invention enables the attainment of the objects initiallyset forth herein. In addition, it is noted that the invention provides anurser capable of heat sterilization after filling and assembly. Thisability is provided, in part, by the provision of the piercing element40 and the disposition which it assumes within the seal cap 22. Throughthis disposition the piercing element functions to maintain the seal capin desired position against compression responsive to pressure withinthe container 10. Such pressure, necessarily results upon heating of thecontainer during sterilization. It should be understood, however, thatthe invention is not intended to be limited to the details of theillustrated embodiments, but rather is defined by the accompanyingclaims.

I claim as my invention:

1. Apparatus for dispensing a prepared fluid foodstuff comprising, incombination:

a container defining an interior adapted to hold a fluid foodstuff andhaving a fluid outlet;

frangible seal means covering said fluid outlet in a fluid-tight manner,said means including a housing extending into said container; piercingmeans including a plurality of piercing members positioned within saidhousing, said members being hingedly connected to a common base memberseated within said housing and each comprising an elongated body curvedat the free end thereof in a direction radially outwardly of said basemember and terminating in a point, and wherein said members are movablefrom a first position adjacent to said seal' means to a second positionextending through said housing, said piercing members being adapted torupture said frangible seal means when moving from said first positionto said second position; a soft nipple secured to said container oversaid frangible seal means and defining an interior; and

means relatively movable with respect to said container and disposed atleast partially externally of said nipple in operative association withsaid piercing means and adapted to move said piercing members from saidfirst position to said second position whereby fluid communication isestablished between the interior of said container and the interior ofsaid nipple.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means relatively movable withrespect to said container comprises an actuator element depending fromsaid nipple and in communication with the interior of said nipple and aseparate element disposed exteriorly of said nipple and adapted tosecure said nipple to said container.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said separate element comprises alock ring having a top wall having an aperture formed therein and acircular side wall depending from said top wall, said nipple extendingthrough said aperture in sealed engagement with said top wall, and saidlock ring side wall and said piercing means having cooperatinginterconnecting means formed thereon permitting relative movementtherebetween.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said cooperating interconnectingmeans includes a locking rib on said lock ring side wail and a pluralityof grooves formed in said piercing means selectively engageable by saidlocking rib whereby said lock ring may assume a plurality of positionswith respect to said piercing means.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said cooperating interconnectingmeans comprises a screw thread arrangement formed on said lock ring sidewall and said piercing means. i

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means relatively movable withrespect to said container includes an actuator element depending fromsaid nipple and in communication with the interior of said nipple and alock ring sealingly engaged around said nipple, said actuator element,said nipple, and said lock ring being adapted to move together withrespect to said piercing means.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said nipple has an annulargroove formed in the interior wall thereof and wherein said actuatorelement comprises a support plate disposed within said annular grooveand defining a throughbore, said actuator element further comprising aplurality of spaced columns depending from said support plate about saidthroughbore and a member connected to the free ends of said spacedcolumns and engageable with said plurality of piercing members.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said piercing meansincludes a side wall disposed in communication with the exterior of saidcontainer, said side wall having two spaced annular grooves formedthereon, and wherein said lock ring includes a side wall having aninwardly extending rib formed thereon selectively engageable with eachof said spaced annular grooves, said actuation member being adapted tomove toward said piercing means base plate and urge the free pointedends of said piercing members outwardly and downwardly through saidhousing when said rib cooperatively engages one of said annular grooves.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said actuator member andsaid piercing members have cooperating cammed shoulder surfaces formedthereon which are in engagement when said piercing members are disposedwithin said housing to prevent inward movement of the piercing membersunder the influence of pressures exerted within the interior of saidcontainer.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said container comprises a firstcollapsible shell connected to a relatively rigid second shell by meansof cooperating flanges on said shells, said second shell having thefluid outlet formed therein, a support member having a circular sidewall having a top end and a bottom end disposed about said first shell,said top end being secured about said cooperating flanges and saidbottom and being disposed below said first shell to support saidcontainer.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said support member is constructedof polyallomer coated paperboard material.

12. Apparatus for confining and containing a fluid for thermalprocessing, storage and selective dispensing, said apparatus comprising:

a container defining an interior adapted to hold a fluid, said containerhaving an opening therein;

a flexible, frangible seal covering said opening to hermetically sealsaid container, said seal having an area extending over said opening;

a piercing member extending over said seal, said contained therein.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein:

said seal is concave in the area thereof extending over said opening;and,

said piercing member comprises a cagelike portion extending into and injuxtaposition with the area of said seal extending over said opening andoutwardly deflectable elements extensible through said area to effectthe rupture of said area responsive to the application of selectiveexternal pressure to the piercing member.

l =l= t!

1. Apparatus for dispensing a prepared fluid foodstuff comprising, incombination: a container defining an interior adapted to hold a fluidfoodstuff and having a fluid outlet; frangible seal means covering saidfluid outlet in a fluid-tight manner, said means including a housingextending into said container; piercing means including a plurality ofpiercing members positioned within said housing, said members beinghingedly connected to a common base member seated within said housingand each comprising an elongated body curved at the free end thereof ina direction radially outwardly of said base member and terminating in apoint, and wherein said members are movable from a first positionadjacent to said seal means to a second position extending through saidhousing, said piercing members being adaPted to rupture said frangibleseal means when moving from said first position to said second position;a soft nipple secured to said container over said frangible seal meansand defining an interior; and means relatively movable with respect tosaid container and disposed at least partially externally of said nipplein operative association with said piercing means and adapted to movesaid piercing members from said first position to said second positionwhereby fluid communication is established between the interior of saidcontainer and the interior of said nipple.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1wherein said means relatively movable with respect to said containercomprises an actuator element depending from said nipple and incommunication with the interior of said nipple and a separate elementdisposed exteriorly of said nipple and adapted to secure said nipple tosaid container.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said separateelement comprises a lock ring having a top wall having an apertureformed therein and a circular side wall depending from said top wall,said nipple extending through said aperture in sealed engagement withsaid top wall, and said lock ring side wall and said piercing meanshaving cooperating interconnecting means formed thereon permittingrelative movement therebetween.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein saidcooperating interconnecting means includes a locking rib on said lockring side wall and a plurality of grooves formed in said piercing meansselectively engageable by said locking rib whereby said lock ring mayassume a plurality of positions with respect to said piercing means. 5.The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said cooperating interconnecting meanscomprises a screw thread arrangement formed on said lock ring side walland said piercing means.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said meansrelatively movable with respect to said container includes an actuatorelement depending from said nipple and in communication with theinterior of said nipple and a lock ring sealingly engaged around saidnipple, said actuator element, said nipple, and said lock ring beingadapted to move together with respect to said piercing means.
 7. Theapparatus according to claim 6 wherein said nipple has an annular grooveformed in the interior wall thereof and wherein said actuator elementcomprises a support plate disposed within said annular groove anddefining a throughbore, said actuator element further comprising aplurality of spaced columns depending from said support plate about saidthroughbore and a member connected to the free ends of said spacedcolumns and engageable with said plurality of piercing members.
 8. Theapparatus according to claim 7 wherein said piercing means includes aside wall disposed in communication with the exterior of said container,said side wall having two spaced annular grooves formed thereon, andwherein said lock ring includes a side wall having an inwardly extendingrib formed thereon selectively engageable with each of said spacedannular grooves, said actuation member being adapted to move toward saidpiercing means base plate and urge the free pointed ends of saidpiercing members outwardly and downwardly through said housing when saidrib cooperatively engages one of said annular grooves.
 9. The apparatusaccording to claim 8 wherein said actuator member and said piercingmembers have cooperating cammed shoulder surfaces formed thereon whichare in engagement when said piercing members are disposed within saidhousing to prevent inward movement of the piercing members under theinfluence of pressures exerted within the interior of said container.10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said container comprises a firstcollapsible shell connected to a relatively rigid second shell by meansof cooperating flanges on said shells, said second shell having thefluid outlet formed therein, a support member having a circular sidewall having a top end and a bottom end disposed about said fIrst shell,said top end being secured about said cooperating flanges and saidbottom and being disposed below said first shell to support saidcontainer.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said support member isconstructed of polyallomer coated paperboard material.
 12. Apparatus forconfining and containing a fluid for thermal processing, storage andselective dispensing, said apparatus comprising: a container defining aninterior adapted to hold a fluid, said container having an openingtherein; a flexible, frangible seal covering said opening tohermetically seal said container, said seal having an area extendingover said opening; a piercing member extending over said seal, saidmember being normally disposed in juxtaposition to said seal toreinforce the area of said seal extending over said opening againstdistortion responsive to pressure created within said container upon thethermal processing of a fluid contained therein and, upon selectiveexternal compression, being adapted to rupture said seal; and, meanssecuring said piercing member in juxtaposition to said seal and againstsubstantial displacement responsive to pressure created within saidcontainer upon the thermal processing of a fluid contained therein. 13.Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein: said seal is concave in thearea thereof extending over said opening; and, said piercing membercomprises a cagelike portion extending into and in juxtaposition withthe area of said seal extending over said opening and outwardlydeflectable elements extensible through said area to effect the ruptureof said area responsive to the application of selective externalpressure to the piercing member.